Meghan Markle looks into unconventional birthing plan

Eliza Velk
·Junior Lifestyle & Entertainment Producer

With the arrival of their baby getting closer, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly been weighing birthing options.

Rather than follow in the footsteps of the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Diana and Princess Anne — who all had their babies in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London — Meghan may once again be shaking things up.

The Duchess of Sussex, 37, is said to be researching hypnobirthing, with Vanity Fair reporting that her mother, Doria Ragland, is encouraging her toward natural birthing processes.

Reports suggest that the Duchess is looking into hypnobirthing. (Photo: Getty Images)
Reports suggest that the Duchess is looking into hypnobirthing. (Photo: Getty Images)

Hypnobirthing advocates say it makes for a more relaxed and calm process, as mothers are helped to enter a form of deep meditation to manage the pain and unpredictability of childbirth. The aim is to reduce the need for anesthesia or other common interventions by using breathing techniques, self-hypnosis and positive affirmations.

Meghan is said to be drawing up plans for a nursery at the couple’s new Windsor residence, Frogmore Cottage. She’s also reportedly hoping to create a special “mother-in-law suite” for Ragland, who wants to help her daughter through and after the birth.

“Doria plans to be around a lot when the baby arrives, and there are plans for her to have a dedicated space at their new home,” a source told Vanity Fair. “She wants to be on hand to help Meghan and Harry with the baby. Doria will be involved, and if she’s involved, she will be encouraging Meg to go for a natural birth.”

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The Duchess of Sussex yesterday attended a meeting with The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) at King’s College London. Her Royal Highness joined university leaders, academics and international scholarship students as they discussed the role of higher education in addressing issues such as human trafficking, modern slavery, gender equality, peace and reconciliation, and climate change. In a speech during the Royal Visit to Fiji in October, The Duchess announced two ACU Gender Grants for the University of the South Pacific and Fiji National University, to fund new learning initiatives aimed at empowering female university staff and promoting gender equality.

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Despite all the baby preparations, Meghan hasn’t neglected her royal duties. On Wednesday, the royal made a surprise appearance at a meeting with academics at King’s College London. The duchess discussed how higher education can help address issues such as modern slavery, gender equality and climate change with a number of university leaders, academics and international scholarship students.

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